After a bit of a slow start, Arsenal strolled to a comfortable win in our first home game of the 25/26 season.
The big plusses were two goals for our new striker Viktor Gyokeres. The first, a great solo effort. The second a penalty won by our 15 year old starlet Max Dowman.
The big negatives were injuries to Odegaard and Saka, joining Havertz, White and Norgaard on the sick list. Ode's was shoulder, and he played on for 15 minutes so hopefully not too bad. The Saka one looked a hamstring and could be a long lay off.
Jurrien Timber was immense, and scored the opener before assisting the second for Saka. He added a second goal to put us 4 up. MotM.
Calafiori got two assists, and had a thrusting performance at left back. Madueke had moments on the left, before a short spell on the right where he will be favourite to start next week.
Zubimendi got into his stride as the game went on, with Rice and Nwaneri either side of him.
A special day for Max Dowman, a special day for Viktor Gyokeres and for a few hours at least, top of the table!!
Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United
posted 7 hours, 57 minutes ago
Madeuke is good cover for Saka at least. Gyokeres scoring goals is crucial. Odegaard is also covered by Eze. Our squad is so much better. I wouldn’t sell Kiwior. Big Gabi just came back from injury and will need easing back.
posted 7 hours, 47 minutes ago
Great win especially since the start was worrying. Take the draw an Anfield.
Timber, unreal, best full back in the league and right up there with the best in Europe.
posted 7 hours, 37 minutes ago
Timber with a 10/10 rating on flashscore
posted 6 hours, 42 minutes ago
Another 3 points in the bag. Another 90 minutes for the lads to get to know each other.
Raya -7 - Called into action early doors with a brilliant reflex save. Kept the ball moving as an extra CB for the rest of the game.
Timber- 9.5 - Brilliant day at the office altogether. Class at the back. Class on the overlap. Class inside the opposition box.
Saliba -8 - Quietly efficient at the back. An absolute menace inside the opposition box.
Gabriel - 7 - Kept it simple and easy. Slowly getting his match fitness back.
Calafiori - 8 - Had a few isolated moments early on, as there was no cover from Madueke and Rice. But he got into his stride quickly. Some lovely wide play, as well as a shift in midfield to help Zubimendi out.
Odegaard - 6 - Kept every thing buzzing when he was on. Shame about the injury.
Zubimendi - 7 - Gradually getting used to the pace of the league. Blocked everything in sight. 90% pass completion. Would be nice to see him track back and offer himself for possession more
Rice - 8 - Closest anyone has come to the Partey role. Threw himself about. Putting fires out all over the shop. Constantly offered himself for possession whenever the keeper and the back 4 ran out of ideas.
Saka -7- Kept the oppo defence stretched. Linked up very well with Timber. Brilliant goal. Still to early to tell, but I hope he hasn't done his hamstring again. No surprise there. Our conditioning has been awful after yet another short pre-season.
Gyokeres -9- Brilliant home debut. Kept running like he did against United. Kept offering himself up into space. Took both his goals well. Shouldn't take long for all the other lads used to his style.
Madueke -6- Slowly grew into the game. And he looked lively when he was switched to the right. Good to see him make a couple of tracking runs to help Calafiori out at the back.
Dowman - 7 - Another half hour on the pitch. Had us all on the edge of our seats. It will be interesting to see how we manage his game-time now after Saka limped off.
Nwaneri -6- Looked busy when he came on. Tried to do everything at once, at times.
Trossard -6- Isolated after coming on. Kept his fullback busy.
Mosquera -6- Kept it safe on his home debut. Looked comfortable on the ball.
MLS -6
posted 6 hours, 35 minutes ago
Great Result
Great Performance
Great save by Raya to stop Leeds going ahead
5-0 in the end but we could have scored 8 or 9
posted 6 hours, 21 minutes ago
Gabriel was very rusty first half, which was expected by the curtailed preseason. He jumped under the ball at the corner, which led to Leeds only chance.
Gyokeres has already started to look uber powerful and he isn't even fully fit either.
Hopefully it will be even better against Liverpool.
posted 5 hours, 6 minutes ago
If Zubimendi learns how to play the ball forward, he might turn out to be decent.
posted 4 hours, 46 minutes ago
comment by Anfield RAP (U22951)
posted 18 minutes ago
If Zubimendi learns how to play the ball forward, he might turn out to be decent.
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Still a bit bitter he turned you down? Seen enough already to say he's going to be a good player for us.
posted 4 hours, 43 minutes ago
Literally 4 of the 5 goals had Zubimendi forward passes leading to the goal 😂😂😂
Some people watch football on a potato.
posted 3 hours, 43 minutes ago
Can’t complain about the way things panned out today. You were awesome against a team that probably cost a tenth of yours,
No hard feelings saying that, because that’s where we want to be eventually - spending £70m on players who can improve our team.
Well done today! You did what we did to Everton on Monday by not allowing us to play our game.
Enjoy the season!